Making Your Own Corset?

[thixle]

Anyone ever made a corset? What pattern did you use? I'm wanting to make one during winter break. Any hints, tips, suggestions?

[Debzy]

ooh ooh corsets! now you're talking hehe

i'm kinda good with corsets so if i can help i'll try my best  

first off, what kind were you thinking? steel boned? theatrical? rigelene boned?

strapless? long? short?

if you've got a pic that ispires, that'd be cool  

[thixle]

Like this one from Frederick's:
http://www.fredericks.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=Holiday2002&category%5Fname=Corsets-All&product%5Fid=51245

I bought it for a starter, it's really light, though and the "boning" bends. It fits really well, great length, great form, but it isn't stout enough (and the bust is a bit too big). I want to be able to lace in pretty tight (but not wasp-waisted). Oh, and I love that it has hook and eye closures in the front (makes it easier to strap myself in).

Oh, and I'll be wearing it under clothes. I had my first corset when I was 12 because I was doing Civil War Re-enactments. I like the way they feel, and I can't slouch over in them (I have horrid posture).

I don't know the difference in the bonings, I just want something strong. Pretty, but functional. I know about busks that go in the front, but could I put one of those in and still have hook and eye closures?

Heh, I guess I should say now that I don't own a sewing machine, but I hand sew excellently. It might be too much to handsew, though. I can borrow a machine.

[Debzy]

hand sew? wow, ambitious girl!!

that link didn't really work for me but i think i found it... was it the 'dream corset'?

there are two main different types of boning, metal and plastic. the plastic's cool beacause you can sew straight through it onto the lining fabric. however if you're handsewing, that would probably wreck your fingers!

the front busks are cool because you lace it up as tight as you need it, then tie it up. then, you put it on and take it off using the busks... so i guess you could use hooks and eyes too, up the back...?

[thixle]

Yes, it was the "dream corset."

And I guess I don't know about busks! I have only seen the kind that are just wood or metal "sticks"-- no hooking or anything, they just slide in, more like really strong boning.
Do you know of any links that I could get a picture of the busk you are talking about?

And one of my friends will let me use his sewing machine! Yeah! He even has one of those grommet machines. So cool. He wants a corset too now, so I may use his for practice lol. The joys of having goth friends... he cracks me up.

[Debzy]

lol thats cool! i think a machine will make your project a whole lot easier

ok, i found a pic of a busk:


it kinda has lickle balls that fit into little holes... hard to describe!

[thixle]

I found the pattern I want now: The Silverado with powernet: http://www.farthingales.on.ca/corset_comparison.htm

I've just got to order the pattern now. (and do quite a bit more research)
Thanks for the pic! I understand it now (thank goodness)!
Should I go ahead and order the bonings, etc. Or should I wait until I'm almost done to make sure I get the right sizes?

[Debzy]

oh that's a lovely pattern.

i have the two simplicity patterns but i've not used them yet!

it should tell you on the pattern what sizes of boning to get - it's usually two of one size, four of a smaller size... of course, if you use the plastic boning, you can just buy a few metres and cut it to size  

[thixle]

I was reading a pattern comparison site that said the one I picked was for beginners, so, wish me luck! (Same site said the Simplicity patterns were really difficult)

What is the deal with steel spring boning? Will it rust? I may just go with plastic, for the first one at least. Where do you get your supplies from? Oh, I am making one for my guy friend first, a "practice run"!

[Debzy]

as far as i know the steel boning is stainless steel... i've never heard of it rusting but i'm not sure! i'd be suprised if it did anyways  

i just remembered, you can buy steel boning that is plastic coated too.

i'm in the uk so i get my supplies here and there hehe!

what site told you how easy the patterns are to use? sounds helpful!